Tubular fabric knitting machine



Aug. 31, 1937. R. H. CARHART TUBULAR FABRIC KNITTING MACHINE Filed Junel2, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 3l, 1937. R. H. CARHART TUBULAR FABRICKNITTING MACHINE 5 sheets-sheet 2 Filed June l2, 1936 Imlm r|H||\ Nh. n,um NM l mm, A mw o f, NW n ATFQRILEYS f Aug- 31,l 1937 R. H. CARHARTTUBULAR FABRIC KNIvTTING MACHINE Filed June 12, 1936y 5 sheets-sheet 4ATTORNEY 5 Aug. 31, 1937. R. H.v CARHART yTUBULAR`FABRIC KNITTINGMACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June l2, 1936 www Nm, *mi

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ATTORNEYS Patented Aug. 31, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,091,461'rUBULAR FABRIC KNITTING MACHINE Raymond H. Carhart, East Syracuse, N.Y., as signor to W. C. Lipe, Inc., Syracuse, N. Y., a corporation of NewYork This invention relates to tubular fabric knitting machines of thegeneral type of machine shown in Cummings Patent No.l 467,534, issuedJanuary 26, 1892 and has Afor its object means 5 for automaticallycontrolling the stopping of the machine when there is a defect in theknitting operation or a hole in the cloth, which means coacts with thecloth presser or cloth presser wheel, and which occupies a minimumspace, and

l also themounting and locating of such devices, so that one of suchdevices can be used, if def sired, with each set of knitting mechanism.

The invention consists in the novel features and in the combinations andconstructions herel nafter set forth and claimed.

In vdescribing this invention, reference is had to the accompanyingdrawings in which like characters designate corresponding parts in allthe views.

Figure 1 is a fragmentary plan view of the frame or bed of 'a machine,one set of knitting mechanism and onestopping device.

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view taken approximately on the planeof line 2-2, Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a plan view of one of the mountings for one of theknittingelements, as the looping burr, sinker burr, or needle presser orcloser.

Figure 4 is a sectional view on line 4 4, Figure 5. l Figure 5 is an endview, looking to the right,

in Figures 3 or 4.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary elevation, looking to the left in Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary elevation, partly in section, looking to theleft in Figure 2.

Figure 8 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through one of the clothpresser wheels and contiguous parts.

Figure 9 is an enlarged sectional view on the plane of line 9-9, Figure1.

Figure 10 is a sectional view on line IIL-I0, Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the operation of the stopdevice.

A tubular fabric knitting machine of this classv comprises, generally, asuitable bed or frame, a rotating needle ring or cylinder, a rotatingcloth frame, not shown, including mechanism for windingup the cloth, asit is knitted, knitting mechanism carried by the bed and stationary withrespect to the rotation of the needle ring, and suitable actuatingmechanism for actuating the needle ring and winding the cloth. As thistype of machine is old and well known, it is thought that furthergeneral description for the purpose of understanding the presentinvention is unnecessary.

I designates the rotating needle ring orl support for the needles 2.This ring I is provided with suitable spokes 3 which are supported on asuitable central shaft, not shown. The ring I is in effect a turn-tablesupported by the frame or needles are in the form of hooks, the billsofwhich are iiexible and which are pressed to close and open by thepresser 8. The burr wheels mesh with the series of needles and are.turned thereby ybed of the machine. 'I'he cloth is carried the duringthe turning of the needle ring or turntable I. The clearing and sinkerburr wheels and the presser 8 constitute what are known as theoutsideelements of theknitting mechanism, and the cloth wheel'and double burrthe inside elements, the former being located outside of the cloth butinside of the needle ring and the latter inside of the clothand also theneedle ring.

Each of the elements 4, 5, and 8 is mounted on the frame or the bed ofthe machine, in order to have a micrometer adjustment vertically andhorizontally, and also they are so arranged relative to each other astotake up a minimum width-Wise space.

Referring to Figures 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, 11 designates the outerstationary ring constituting one part of the bed of the machine on whichthe mounting for the knitting elements 4, 5, and 8 are supported. Themounting for each of these elements comprises a bracket I2 mounted onthebed or outer ring I|, a carriage I3 vertically adjustable of the bracketI2, a horizontally adjustable carriage I4 mounted on the carriage I8 andadjustable radially relatively to the axis of the outer ring Il or ofthe needle ring I, and a Vsecond carriage I5 movable horizontally of thecarriage I4.

The knitting element 4, 5, or 8 is carried directly by the carriage I5.

As seen in Figures 4. 5, and 6, the carriage |31 has mounted therein asmall shaft or spindlev I6 having a pinion I1 thereon meshing with arack 2 acentos It at one side of the slot iormed in an upright arm ofthe bracket l2. The shaft i5 has a suitable head, by means of which itcan be turned by a suitable tool to rotate the pinion and cause the 5pinion to move upwardly or downwardly along the rack I8, moving thecarriage I3 therewith. The carriage I3 is held in the position in whichit has been adjusted by the pinion I1, by clamping means, here shown asa bolt 20 extending through an opening in the bracket i2 through theslot IS and threading into a`nut 2l of sucient width to span the slot I9and bear on the portions of the bracket I2 on opposite sides of theslot. The carriage I3 and nut 2l move in ways 2l3 in the bracket I2 onopposite sides of the slot. Obviously, by loosening the nut and turningthe shaft I6, a micrometer adjustment vertically of the carriage I3 canbe obtained.v

The carriage I4 is slidably mounted on the 20 bracket i3 and shiftableradially relatively to the axis of the needle ring i. It has a rib itson the lower side thereof slidable in a way or groove Mb in the top faceof the carriage. This radial adjustment is effected by a micrometerconsisting of'a screw 22 threading radially into the carriage i3 andhaving an annular iiange or head 23 which works in a groove 24 in thelower side of the rib MB of the carriage I 4. Thus, by turning thescrew, a micrometer adjustment of the carriage i4 readily can beeilected.

The carriage I5, which directly supports the burr wheel 4 or 5 or thepresser toot 8, is slidably mounted in a bore 25 in the carriage i4.This bore extends radially relatively to the axis oi' the needle ring I.The carriage is spring-pressed in one direction by a spring ,25 locatedin the bore 25 and thrusting at one end axially against the rod orcarriage i5 and at its other end against the head of a 'thimble-shapedspring abutment 2 slidable in the bore.

As here shown, a screw 23 threads axially into the inner end of the rodi5. This screw also extends axially into the spring E5 and has anannular iiange abutting against the inner end face of the rod I5. Thespring 25 thrusts directly against the flange. This iiange 29 is` forthe purpose of holding in position a head 35i mounted on the reducedinner end of the rod I5 and extending through a slot 3i in the top ofthe carriage I4, which slot opens into the bore 25.

The purpose of this head will be presently described.

The outward movement of the rod or carriage I5 by the spring 25 islimited by suitable stop and latch means and the tension oi the spring26 is adjusted by means here shown as a screw 32 threading into thecarriage I4 below and parallelito the `bore 25 and having its head 34thrusting against the bed or head of the thimbleshaped abutment 21. Bytightening this screw, the spring 26 will be compressed and by looseningthe screw, the spring will be released slightly. The spring 26 pressesthe knitting element in position and permits-it to give more or lessunder 55 abnormal conditions.

35 (Figures 3 and 4) designates a latch and stop means, this lying onthe top of the carriage I4 and being pivoted by means of a screw 35 tothe block 3G, previously referred to. The latch coacts with a stop pin31 on the carriage i4 for limiting the outward movement of the rod orcarriage I5 under the influence of the spring 25.

The latch has a linger-piece 38 at its outer end, by means of which itmay be pulled back to pull back the rod or carriage i5 against theaction of the spring 26, and the latch also has a shoulder 39 coactingwith the pin or stop 4G, when the latch is in retracted position, inorder to llock temporarily the carriage I5 in retracted position. Thelatch is moved about its pivot into and out of engagement with the latchpin 4U. Upon release of the latch from the pin 40, the spring reacts andresets the carriage or rod I5 with a knitting instrument thereon in itspreviously set position without further adjustment. While belo ingretracted, the knitting element may be manipulated or set in workingorder. The carriage I5 is a rod and capable of radial adjustment aboutits axis to vary the angle oi the burr wheels. It is held in itsyadjusted position by the screw 36 15 which thrusts against a disk 35Band sets or clamps the disk against the reduced end of the carriage orrod i5. a

In operation, the knitting mechanism element can be quickly andaccurately set by means of a 20 micrometer adjustment or screw Iaud thescrew 22 is permanently held in its adjusted position.

The adjustment is not upset by temporarily retracting the carriage orrod i 5 by means of a latch 35. The needle presser 8 is mounted on its25' carriage or rod l5 to have a pivotal adjusting movement about thepivot Se (Figure 1) and-is held in its adjusted position by a screw 8b.

"i5 designates a suitable guide for the yarn or thread to the ysinkerburr`5, this being supported 30 by one of the carriages i3.

It will be seen that by reason'of the assembly of the bracket i2,carriagev i3 and carriages it, l5. and also the relative arrangement ofthe adjusting screws i6, 23 and latch, that each carriage 30 assemblytakes up a. minimum width, as the adjusting means and the latch are insubstantially the same vertical plane. All of these adjusting means.screws, etc. are exposed on the outer sides of the carriages I3, id andhence 4o readily accessible, even when the supporting bed li i iscrowded or iilled with knitting mechanisms,

This is one of the features contributing to locating a maximum number orsets cf outside knitting elements within a minimum` space and henceto'increasing the speed of the knitting. The brackets i2 are secured tothe bed I 5 in the usual manner, as by bolts i5 (Figure 2) having theirheads arranged in T slots 4t in the bed, these bolts extending upwardlythrough slots i? -in the :i0 bases of the brackets i2 and threadingintonuts 48. The T slots extend circumferentially ofthe bed i i and areprovided with suitable slots or passages 49 at intervals by means ofwhich the bolts with their heads can be placed in the T slots or 5sremoved therefrom. I f

The double burr f5- is supported from an inner stationary ring 55`forming a part oi the bed of the machine. This double burr is acombined landing and cast-olf burr. It is carried by a shift- 6( ableaxle 5I extending at an angle from a shaft or rod 52 mounted in avertically adjustable carriage 55, the adjustment of which is effectedby a micrometer mechanism, and the shaft or spindle 5i: is alsoadjustable radially relatively to the Gv axis o the needle ring I andrelatively to the carriage 53. The carriage 53 is adjustably mounted ina block or carriage 54 mounted on theinner ring 58 of the bed of themachine, the block`54Y being secured by means of clamping screw 55 to a7 beveled head or bead 51 on the block. 54 (see Figure 9). The carriage53 is adjusted relatively to the block 54 parallel to the carriage 5tand having a flange or head 59 working in a groove 50 in the carriage55. The screw 55 acting through la to perform the landing and knock-offor cast-offoperations. vThe headsof all vthe adjusting screws 58, 6|,55, 56 are presentedupward andreadily accessible from above. ,I Y u Thecarriage 53 and associated parts are shown in connection with the stopdevice to be described. The carriages for the double burr 6 and the stopdevice are duplicates. The cloth presser 1 is preferably a wheel havingsuitable antifriction bearings mounted onta` spindle 65 carried byanrarm or bracket 66 (Figure 2) supported from the bed of the machine@'I'he wheelV 1 is preferably mountedon a horizontal axis radial with theaxis of the needle ring I and is recessed at 61 on its outer side, inorder to permit the burrs, .particularly the sinker burr, to` come closeto the edge ofthe cloth pressed down inner end a carrier block 12 (seeFigure 2) from.`

which extend arms y1I! to which the brackets 66 directly supporting thewheels 1v are secured. The

carrier` blocks 12 are `adjustable vertically byfa micrometer screw 14threading in the ends ofthe overhanging arm 1I and having an annularflange v 15 interlocking in a groove in the carrier block 12, and areheld-in adjusted Vposition by screws 1|n (Figure 4 and 7). Each bracketarm 66 is adjustable vertically relative to its arrn 13. lAs shown',

the bracket 66 seats in a verticalA way inthe end of the arm 13 and ascrew 66a extendsywthrough'y a slot 66h in the bracket 66 and threadsinto the arm 13. Each cloth Wheel 1 is thusindividually adjustablethrough the adjustmentfof its bracket 66 and the adjustment of the -arms13 by reason of the slots 13 and bolts 8|, to be described.

The machine here illustrated is proyided with a guide for the cloth solocated relatively to the cloth Wheel that the lowermost rzone or bandof cloth, where-it approaches the cloth wheels 1 is inclined out of thehorizontal, ratherfthan out of the vertical, in order to facilitate theplacing ofthe stitches or theloops at the edge of the cloth ina positivecast-off position while being pressed down A' by the cloth wheels overthe needles, this resulting infaster and more perfect knitting. Thisguide is here shown as a guide ring 80 located to the inward of thecloth wheels 1 and slightly above the level of the lower edge thereof,so that the cloth lies more nearly in a horizontal plane, as

it approaches the cloth wheels. The ring 80 is.

here shown as supported by the carrier block 12. This cloth guide meansconstitutes the subject matter of a divisional application.

As here illustrated, the carrier block 12 is in two sections 'I2EL and12b, the section 12b'being bifurcated, as shown in Figure 7, with thearms '13 bolted to thering llnbylmeans of boltsj8l,and the two `sections12a and |21 being secured together and also secured to thering byjmeansof bolts y 82 extending through the base ofthe section -12'l and thebifurcations of the section 12h. .The sup-I porting arm 13 for eachbracket of leach cloth wheelis secured for convenience v,tothe ring;

betweenthe bifurcations of the block section 12b.. .1; y

'I'he ring 80 canv be located accurately or leveled by means of thescrew 15 and-,after the rring is adjusted, Iand further; adjustment ofthe cloth wheels if necessary, can be accomplished byadjusting thebrackets |56.`

'I'he arm 18is also adjustable endwise relatively n to the ring 80 byyreason of a slot 513* therein (Figure 2) through which the-.screw 8|extends. 'I'he cloth wheels 1 are thus individually adjustablevertically `and horizontally. The ring 881s.

trolling the-stopping of the machine when'there is a defect in theknitting or ra. hole in the cloth, comprises a spring-pressed ilngerf'85supported fromthe bedof the machine and normally pressing against theunder side of .the cloth in alinement with the clearance groove v68ofthe clothring- '1'. When there is a hole in the-cloth, the nger movesthrough thehole and into the groove 68 and by its movement operatesstopping mechanism. 'I'here may be one spring-pressed finger for eachcloth wheel but one for each cloth wheel is unnecessary andusuallyseveral oithese stop mechanisms spaced equidistant apart aresuin-vv cient tovstop the machine before muchdamage is done or muchcloth run oil? the needles. 'I'he feature of thisr stop mechanism isthatis located in a space or spacesnotrequired'` by any other part ormechanism and hence it is not necessarytoremove any knitting mechanism;to

make space, for thestop mechanism,and vii .de-f.

sired, as many stop devices can beused as there arej knittingmechanisms. Each stop device vis locatedin ther radial spaceto theinward of the cloth pressers and coact' with the cloth pressers.

As the cloth presserslare usually. wheels, each stop deviceis locatedyat kor near vwhere .onenof the wheels presses down-the cloth beneaththe"axial line oi the wheel, or each stop device is located between radialvertical planes tangent to the lateral edges of the ,widest part ofthepressers or cloth wheels.

As here shown, Vthespring-.pressedl finger 485V is carried .by a rockvshaft 86 journalled ina bear- I ing 81, theshaft being actedupon byatorque spring 88 locatedinja recess inthe bearing and tendingto rock theshaftv 86 `to holdvthe nger against the cloth. 'Ihe bearing 81 issupported bya suitablecarriage, as a rod 89, which' in turn is supportedby a carriage, similar to the carriage 53,V of the 'adjusting mechanism.for the! double burr 6,.the only differencebeing that' the setscrew 6Icoactswith a-,flat surface on the rod- 89. The bearing 81 is rotatableslightly in 'the' and hence the machine stopped within a very shortdistance afterthe hole occurs.

" As seen in Figure 5 11', 'a three-wirevcircuit Ais shown'for athree-phase motor M, which is the y5 motor for actuating themachine. Thecurrent owsasl-follows:*From wireP or P' through manually operableswitch S, when closed, thence through-wire l I l, switch 91-to themotor'M. vThe switch 91" is normally open and tends -to open A'l0 eitherby gravity or by a spring H2,.andfit is closed by the magnet or solenoidV96,"whe'n this magnet'is energized. To start the machine, the pushbutton H3.is depressed,this being'suitably connected'to the corerofvtheA ysolenoid or magnet 15 $6 lwhich in turn is mechanically connectedto the switchv 91', `so that when the pushy button H3 is depressed, theswitch 91 is closed. When so 1 vclosedp-the current" passes :through`wirev Hl through the windings ofthe magnet 96 through 20 wirel H5,through the f normally *closed stop f v will be cut off and thegmotor Mand machine stopped. ,When the machine Vis in operation,'it can bestopped at anytime by depressingthe 35 push button I I8 connected tothecore of the solenoid.96 and acting alternately with the push butf tonH3. Ashere shown,.the.push buttons H3,

H8 are mounted on opposite 'ends of a lever H9,r

which is connected to the core of the solenoid 96 'K 40 to transmitvmotion thereto. Also, a suitable brake Bjis provided for stopping the-machine from coasting .under momentum whenthe motor Mis cut out. 'I'hisbrakemay be oiany suitable construction.- Briefly, therbrake is held`voil?v by a.

n 45 solenoid, not shown,.the .windings of which are connected inthemotor feed clrcuitby wireslln, l

. I2.I. Thus, when'the motor is energized and the brake is held oilagainst the action of a suitable spring, `notshown, which reacts tovapply 'the 60 brake when the circuit through-the motor M and thesolenoid of the brakeBis opened.

WhatI claim is:,- v Y 1. Atubular fabric knitting machine including asuitable bed, a rotating needle ring, and knit- 55 ting mechanismcarried by the bed and stationary withrespect to rotation of the needlering, and

including .a clothfV presser: having aclearance f therein near the edgeof the margin thereof pressing on the'cloth, the -edgeof the'cloth norlmallycovering the clearance, a stop device' carried by the bed andincludingaspring-pressed linger alined with the clearance normallypressing on fthe interposed cloth and movable through a hole inthe clothinto the clearance,` and means g operated bythe movement of the ngerthrough y the holevinto theclearance for stopping the'rmafr chine.

2. A tubular fabric knitting machine including a suitable bed,'arotatingneedle ring* and knitting mechanism carried by the bed andstationary with respect to rotation of the" needle ring and including acloth pressing wheel arrangedto press themargin of the cloth ontheneedles, said wheel having a circumferential 'clearance therein near theedge thereof pressing on the cloth, the edge of the cloth normallycovering the clearance, and afstop device'carried'by the bed andincluding a spring-pressed nger alined'with thel clearance f andnormally pressingr on k ther interposed .cloth and movable through aholel in the 'cloth into the clearance,`and means operated by themovement of the ng'er 4into rthe lhole' of the clearance for stoppingthemachine. j f

3. A tubular fabric knittingrv machine including a suitablebedjarotatingl needle ring, and knitting mechanism carried by thebedandstationary with respect' to rotation of the needle ring. and

including a cloth presser having a, ,clearance therein near the edge of'the margin thereof pressing on the cloth, the edge of the cloth rioremally covering. thev clearance, a stop Adevice car, ried by the bed andincluding aI springfpressed finger alined with theclearance normallypressingon the interposed cloth'and movable throughr a hole in the clothinto the clearance, and means operated by the movement of the ngerthrough the hole into the 'clearance for stopping the 'ma-' chine, saidmeans including an Aelectric circuit with electro-magneticmeans-therein,l and'a switch .in said circuit operated by the movementof the nger."

4.` Ak tubular fabric knitting machine includingI a suitable bed, arotating needle cylinder, sets of knitting mechanisms carried by the bedand stationary with respect torotation of the needle cylinder-andveachincluding a'cloth presser wheel,

a stop device carried by the bed and-including a spring-pressed ngerarranged in"juxtapositionto the cloth wheel, where the cloth wheelengages the cloth and normally pressing on thei'interpsed cloth andmovable through a hole in the cloth,

y and means operated by the'v movement of the nger through the hole forstopping the machine'.vv

5. Atubular fabric knitting machine including a suitable bed,l.arotatingneedle cylin r, sets of knitting mechanisms carried by the beand stationary with respectto rotation of the needle cylinder and eachincluding a cloth presserk and a stop device located in the radial spaceto the inward of the cloth presser and coacting withV the cloth where itengages the cloth presser.

6. A tubular fabric, knitting machine including a suitable bed, whichincludes an outer ring, a rotating needle cylinder, Asets of knittingmechanisms carriedY by the bed and stationary with respect to therotation of the needle cylinder and including a cloth presser supportedfrom the. outer ring, a'stop'devicecarried by the bed within the needlecylinder in the radial space to the in-V ward of the clothpresser,l thestop'device coacting with the cloth where it engages the cloth presser.

RAYMOND H. CARHART.

